Ellen Axson Wilson to Eleanor Randolph Wilson McAdoo
Title
Ellen Axson Wilson to Eleanor Randolph Wilson McAdoo
Creator
Wilson, Ellen Axson
Identifier
WWP19563
Date
1911 December 25
Description
Ellen Axson Wilson writes Eleanor Wilson McAdoo, in Mexico, a letter with news of the family.
Source
Eleanor Wilson McAdoo Papers, University of California, Santa Barbara
Publisher
Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum
Subject
Wilson family
Contributor
Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum staff
Language
English
Text
My precious Baby,
It is Christmas day and half past four. Margaret has gone to the Gauss's, Jessie to walk with Mr. Clemons and afterwards to the Gauss's. All the rest are lying down, to recover from dinner, which was just as good as if or Fraulein had cooked it. The turkey was stuffed in the New Orleans style with pecans & oysters, and of course we had meringue glac. Stockton and little Casper Woodbridge were our only guests. We invited the Elliots but they had company themselves. It has been a perfectly beautiful day, brilliant sunshine and clear, cold without wind. If our baby had only been here it would have been an ideal Christmas. We pinned the stockings to the table cover in the studio and put the presents on the table; - and we danced about it as usual. Stockton of course stayed all night and slept in your room. I have two beautiful new pendants an exquisite little opal & pearl one from your father and a beautiful blue one, lapis-lazuli from the Smiths. It is two pear shaped pendants at the ends of a beautifully wrought silver chain, most artistic. Stockton gave me the great new Life of Ruskin in 2 vols. Margaret a handsome Russian brass tray and Jessie a lovely embroidered pin-cushion, just what I wanted for the guest room. Your father was delighted with his fob. It is really perfect. (Just think the coin is 2100 years old.)
What do you think is here for you? A perfectly elegant solid silver (Bailey Banks & Biddle) toilette set from Mr. Arnold, glass, comb & brush. It seemed best to open it as of course the box was too heavy to send. There has been great discussion as to whether you ought to keep it or not. Your father and I think you might just this once, making him distinctly understand that he must never again send anything so handsome. That is what Jessie did on our advise about the handsome portfolio from Mr. Machen. Your dear letter came this morning, darling. It was a perfectly delightful surprise, for we had not thought there was time for a letter from Chihuahua. I am so sorry about the custom troubles, and so glad about everything else. It certainly sounds fascinating. We shall eagerly await later letters with accounts of all your doings. The one to M. & J. did not come. The one on the train came too and was a dear.
Yesterday I was called to the phone and what do you think it was? Susie Fine asking for your address. Surely that must mean that she is much better. She is here for the holidays only. Good-bye my precious little girl, and may you have many and many a happy Christmas and New Year, and may we spend as many as possible together. Christmas certainly does not seem like Christmas without our darling. You can't imagine how much your father misses his play-fellow. You certainly are a girl after his own heart, in fact after all our hearts. Well, I must not dwell on your absence but think instead of what a good time you are probably having.
With dear and dearest love & kisses from all, I am, darling,
Your devoted,
Mother
It is Christmas day and half past four. Margaret has gone to the Gauss's, Jessie to walk with Mr. Clemons and afterwards to the Gauss's. All the rest are lying down, to recover from dinner, which was just as good as if or Fraulein had cooked it. The turkey was stuffed in the New Orleans style with pecans & oysters, and of course we had meringue glac. Stockton and little Casper Woodbridge were our only guests. We invited the Elliots but they had company themselves. It has been a perfectly beautiful day, brilliant sunshine and clear, cold without wind. If our baby had only been here it would have been an ideal Christmas. We pinned the stockings to the table cover in the studio and put the presents on the table; - and we danced about it as usual. Stockton of course stayed all night and slept in your room. I have two beautiful new pendants an exquisite little opal & pearl one from your father and a beautiful blue one, lapis-lazuli from the Smiths. It is two pear shaped pendants at the ends of a beautifully wrought silver chain, most artistic. Stockton gave me the great new Life of Ruskin in 2 vols. Margaret a handsome Russian brass tray and Jessie a lovely embroidered pin-cushion, just what I wanted for the guest room. Your father was delighted with his fob. It is really perfect. (Just think the coin is 2100 years old.)
What do you think is here for you? A perfectly elegant solid silver (Bailey Banks & Biddle) toilette set from Mr. Arnold, glass, comb & brush. It seemed best to open it as of course the box was too heavy to send. There has been great discussion as to whether you ought to keep it or not. Your father and I think you might just this once, making him distinctly understand that he must never again send anything so handsome. That is what Jessie did on our advise about the handsome portfolio from Mr. Machen. Your dear letter came this morning, darling. It was a perfectly delightful surprise, for we had not thought there was time for a letter from Chihuahua. I am so sorry about the custom troubles, and so glad about everything else. It certainly sounds fascinating. We shall eagerly await later letters with accounts of all your doings. The one to M. & J. did not come. The one on the train came too and was a dear.
Yesterday I was called to the phone and what do you think it was? Susie Fine asking for your address. Surely that must mean that she is much better. She is here for the holidays only. Good-bye my precious little girl, and may you have many and many a happy Christmas and New Year, and may we spend as many as possible together. Christmas certainly does not seem like Christmas without our darling. You can't imagine how much your father misses his play-fellow. You certainly are a girl after his own heart, in fact after all our hearts. Well, I must not dwell on your absence but think instead of what a good time you are probably having.
With dear and dearest love & kisses from all, I am, darling,
Your devoted,
Mother
Original Format
Letter
To
McAdoo, Eleanor Wilson, 1889-1967
Files
Citation
Wilson, Ellen Axson, “Ellen Axson Wilson to Eleanor Randolph Wilson McAdoo,” 1911 December 25, WWP19563, Eleanor Wilson McAdoo Collection at the University of California-Santa Barbara, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.